[Coldste]

So I took my driving test today and failed on two serious faults, (one I sort of feel is a 50/50 one). At the end of the test I let the examiner tell me I failed and why, except this is where opinions are divided. I need to stress I was polite and respectful at all times.

I said politely “can I just explain something.” My examiners reply was and I found it very rude tone of his voice. “I don’t want to hear it!” Now as far as I’m concerned there was no need for that reply when he could have politely said I’m not discussing it or talk to your instructor for example. So i thought right since you’re being rude I’m going to press on. Just a note had he been polite I wouldn’t have bothered to ask.

I failed on this reason and fair enough I realised after I made the error I messed up.

• Junctions - Approach speed

I was following the satnav along a winding county road it was a left turn I was supposed to make, but the satnav didn’t say to turn until pretty much last minute and I had to break hard. I tried to explain that the satnav told me last minute, because I was having to drop my speed from a 50mph zone to 30mph as well as trying to manoeuvre around the bends so I was concentrating on that.. All I got from him was “oh you were asleep at the wheel you weren’t concentrating there was nothing wrong with the satnav,”

The second issue is 50/50

• Response to signs / signals - Traffic lights

I was at the traffic and it had one of those bike bays you need to wait behind, there was a car infront of me at the traffic lights when they were on red. It went to green the car infront moved up waiting to turn right so I waited behind the bike line. The car turned and then I quickly turned as well just as the traffic lights turned to amber (right after I turned). I tried to explain that from MY point of view there wasn’t enough room but my examiner said this, “oh there was plenty of room for two or three cars now the cars behind you had to wait,” the traffic lights were 50/50 in my view only because I wasn’t causing a danger to other road users.

Now am I in the wrong for trying to explain why I saw things differently I wasn’t disputing the result, I just wanted to be able to say well this is why I made a mistake. I’ve rebooked my next exam but am worried I might get the same examiner again.

[Rolebama]

I can't make any useful comment about satnav incident as on my Test the examiner gave all directions for the route we took.
As to the traffic lights incident, I think the examiner was a bit harsh in his judgment but it is worth taking on board what he said as the cycle area can be used if waiting to turn.

[Coldste]

Originally Posted by Rolebama

I can't make any useful comment about satnav incident as on my Test the examiner gave all directions for the route we took.
As to the traffic lights incident, I think the examiner was a bit harsh in his judgment but it is worth taking on board what he said as the cycle area can be used if waiting to turn.

It’s ok looking back at the satnav I can see where I went wrong. If he’d have been more polite and said I’m not willing to discuss it or tell your instructor, I wouldn’t have tried to explain anything. I believe talk to people the same way they talk to you. I didn’t shout or raise my voice, I was polite saying can I just explain something. Now I’m dreading the resit and if I get him again

[Mark07]

Originally Posted by Coldste

I said politely “can I just explain something.” My examiners reply was [...] “I don’t want to hear it!”

This does seem a little harsh. I can't help but wonder if they've had lots of people (who weren't as polite as you) challenge them, and they have over compensated.

I wouldn't worry about getting the examiner again, I imagine that they are focussed on the assessment rather than the individuals.

I wish you all the best for your next test, when is it booked in?

[Drivingforfun]

I think some examiners, rightly or wrongly, just decide that they don't like someone and are overly harsh.

My brother, stupidly, decided to read out his own number plate when the examiner at the start of the test pointed to a car next to his and asked him to read the plate. I think he sealed his fate there. The examiner ultimately failed him for hesitancy at a zebra crossing - my brother waited at a double zebra crossing with an island in the middle for a pedestrian who was on the other side of the road, the other side of the island.

[Mark07]

@Drivingforfun hesitancy, or good manners?

[Drivingforfun]

Apparently the island meant it was to be treated as two separate crossings, and the pedestrian was not yet ready to cross the second one (where my brother was waiting) so it was unnecessary hesitancy!

I was shocked as well, I thought it should have been a minor, but probably not even that.

[Coldste]

Originally Posted by Mark07

This does seem a little harsh. I can't help but wonder if they've had lots of people (who weren't as polite as you) challenge them, and they have over compensated.

I wouldn't worry about getting the examiner again, I imagine that they are focussed on the assessment rather than the individuals.

I wish you all the best for your next test, when is it booked in?

thanks not deterred by him now, booked for February 29th, so fingers crossed I can do it second time around.

[Coldste]

Originally Posted by Drivingforfun

I think some examiners, rightly or wrongly, just decide that they don't like someone and are overly harsh.

My brother, stupidly, decided to read out his own number plate when the examiner at the start of the test pointed to a car next to his and asked him to read the plate. I think he sealed his fate there. The examiner ultimately failed him for hesitancy at a zebra crossing - my brother waited at a double zebra crossing with an island in the middle for a pedestrian who was on the other side of the road, the other side of the island.

that’s pretty much what family said. He must have thought boy racer failing him. Only for the harsh breaking incident I was driving good even with the minors I picked up. Still think he was harsh on the traffic lights incident. But if I have to go that way on the resit I’ll be more than ready now